Welding apparatus



OC- 31, 1944.v J. R. YEADoN.; WELDING APPARATUS Filed oct. y:25, 194s u@ L Wm/T kdm eRA vn .mlm W/i Planea ocr. 31,1944

WELDING APPARATUS John B. VYcallon, Lynn, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 25, 1943, Serial )10.507536 6 Claims. (Cl. 21S-I4) My invention relates to welding apparatus and more particularly to a gas-arc welding torch having an electrode holding nozzle of improved construction.

It is an object of my invention to provide a gas-arc welding torch which is suitable for using electrodes which extend through or are contained within its nozzle structure.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an electrode'holding gas nozzle in which the escape of gas is coniined to its tip portion by valve means which in'its open positionforms a substantially gas-tight t aboutfan'electrode closing the opening through which it is introduced into the nozzle and consequently gas supplied to the nozzle will escape through this opening. It has, consequently, been the practice of welding operators to discard stub ends of electrodes when their lengths are but slightly greater than the length of the electrode holding nozzle in which they are supported. 'Ihis results in an inefficient use of electrode material,

In accordance with my invention I provide an electrode holding gas nozzle with valve means' which in its open position forms a substantially gas-tight t about. the electrode extending thereextending through the nozzle and which in its closed position closes the electrode passageway throughA the nozzle at a poin't remote from its tip portion so that the stub end of an electrode y in the nozzle may be used until it becomes too short for the electrode holding means in the nozzle. Further objects of my invention will become apparent from the following description of two embodiments thereof illustrated in the accompany- Y ing drawing.

Fig. 1 of this drawing is a side view of an atomic hydrogen torch having an electrode holding nozzle embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a sectional view of one of the electrode holdingvnozzles of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the nozzle of Fig. 2 along lines 34 thereof; and Fig. 4 is a a sectional view of another modification of `my invention which has been applied as in Fig. 2 to the thumb-screw of the nozzle structure.

Electrode holding nozzles of gas-arc welding torches are often provided with electrode passageways extending' therethrough to their tip portions so that electrodes of greater length than the lengths of the nozzles may be supported therein. 'Ihe electrode is held in such a-nozzle by a clamping mechanism which in accordance with my inthroughand which in its closed position closes the electrode passageway through the nozzle at a point remote from its tip portion so that the stub end of the electrode in the nozzle may be used until it becomes too short for the electrode holding .means in the nozzle. Thus in accordance with my invention the electrode holding nozzle of a gas-arc torch is suited to the use of lengths of electrode material which may be as long as desired or of a length less than the length of the nozzle, provided they are still long enough to be engaged and held by the electrode holding means contained within the nozzle. This valve means may be of many forms and may be variously applied to the nozzle structure. As shown in the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing, one of the valve means isbiased to a closed position Whereas the other is not.

My invention has been illustrated as applied to a torch having a nozzle construction such as that described and claimed in United States Letter Patent 2,014,226, James T. Catlett, granted September l0, 1935, and assigned to the assignee of this invention. When applied to such a convention is located adjacent thetlp portion of the nozzle through which the arching terminal of the electrode projects. Gas is supplied through the nozzle and its tip portion about the arcing terminal ot the electrode during a welding operation. By providing a substantially gas-tight nt between the electrode and the nozzle at that end of the electrode passageway therein which is remote from its tip portion the escape of gas from the nozzle is confined to its tip portion. As the Y electrode is consumed it is moved through the nozzle so as to position its arcing terminal in substantially a uniform relationship to the nozzle of the torch. Eventually the electrode is consumed until its length is no longer sumcient for are connected and electrically insulated from' one v struction, the valve means is conveniently located in the thumb-screw forming part of the nozzle structure as shown in Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawing.

In the atomatic hydrogen torch shown in Fig. l, electrodes l and 2 are supported in electrode holding gas nozzles 3 and I which are independently supported on tubes 5 and B which project from a handle l. Electrode holding nozzle 4. is connected to a lever 8 by rods 9 and lll'which another by a member Il. Lever 8 is pivoted to a bracketV l2 mounted on a guard I3 forming part of handle l.v Movement of lever 8 consequently moves electrode 2 in electrodeholding nozzle 4 relative to electrode I supported in electrode holding nozzle 3. Thisv limited movement is made possible by providing tube 6 with a looped portion which is suiiiciently resilient for this purpose and which also acts as a spring member which tends to hold the electrodes in a predetermined position relative to one another. Electricity and gas are supplied to the arcing terminals of the electrodes in nozzles I and 4 through tubes 5 and l by means of connections within the end portion oi handle 1 which has not been illustrated in the drawing. 4

In Fig. 2 I have'shown a cross-sectional view of the electrode holding nozzle l of Fig. 1. 'I'he electrode passageway therethrough terminates at one end oi the nozzle in a tip Il and at its other end in a thumb-screw I5. Each of these members make a threaded engagement with the end portions oi the nozzle.

inventionmakesitpossibletouseelectrodes'ora lengthtobewhollycontainedinanodesothat weldingincontlnedplacesmaybe without the interference resulting fromtheendotaneleetrodeprojeetingthrough thetopofanode.

mthoombodimentofmymvenuonshownm Hg.2asiideva1ve2llocatedintheheadofscrew Tip i4 forms with the discharge end-of nozzle 4 a chamber having a dischargeopening II greater in size than the electrode supported therein. Electrode 2 is centered in this opening I I by a collet I1 which is slotted at its lower end to form clamping jaws I8 for the electrode. Nozzle I- is' provided with an internal wedging surface Il .against which an external wedging surface 2l at the jaws I! of the collet acts to torce these jaws into engagement with the electrode extending therethrough when the collet is given a lengthwise movement toward the tip of the nozzle. This movement is imparted to the collet by thumbscrew I5 which acts against the upper end oi the collet.

Gas is supplied to the nozzle through an arm 22 which also acts as a support for the nozzle. This arm is attached to a connection 23 at the end or tube I oi the torch by means of a cap-screw Il which is provided with a eway. 25 extending from its side wall near its head to its tip within arm 22. Theend of arm 22 and the head of cap-screw 24 are provided with opposed clamping surfaces which are adapted to engage the opl posite sides of the connection 23 to form an electrical and gas-tight connection between the nozzleand its supporting tube t through which gas rand electricity are supplied thereto.

It is apparent that the construction of the electrode holding nozzle is such that electricity will besupplied to the electrode supported therein in view of the i'act that the various partsare formed of metal and are thus conductors of elec-` 4 tricity. Gas is suppiiedirom the eway through nozzle 4 to the chamber within tip Il through the slotted end portion of collet I1. The

Iiisprovidedtorclosingtheendoftheelectrode passageway through nozzle l at a point remote fromits tip portion Il. Thisvalve is biased to thepositionillustratedbyaspringil andmay bemovedagainstthebiasofthisspringbyappiying pressure to its portion 2O which projects fromtheheadofscrew Il. Inthepositionshown it closesthe electrode passageway through screw llandtlypreventsescalleilfwm thenonlethroughthis whentbeend of electrode I no longer closes it. BY applyin! pressuretovalveportionllandaiigningthepassagewayspliandllinvalvell andscrew Il, anewlengthofelectrodematerialmaybeintroduced into the electrode passageway in nozzle l; Ifthisnewlengthotelectrodematerialisgreater thanthelengthofthenonleitmaybesuitably clampedinthenonlewithitsendprojecting `therefromthromhscrewiisincescrewlland gas thus supplied to the tip Il is discharged about theeieotrodezandtotouyenoiosesitsmmgr- In accordance with my invention, valve means I lmounted onthe, nozzle and'forming a' substantially gas-tight iit about an electrode extending therethrough is provided for opening and closing the electrode passageway through the nozzle at a point remote from its tip. With such an arrangement an electrode holding nomic such as described above becomes suitable for ming not only electrodes longer thanthe nozzle but also forusing their stud endswhich are shorter than the nozzle, provided of course that these stud ends are long enough to be engaged and held by the electrode holding means contained within or forming a part of the nozzle. `By employing an electrode holding means which engages the electrode at a point near the tip of the nozzle these stud ends may be used until they are about one inch long. Without my invention these stub ends would be discarded by most operators when about three or Iourinches long. Furthermore. m!

valve 2l thereiniorms a substantially gas-tight ciosureforthatendoftheelectrodepassageway innozzielwhichisremotetromitstip I I.

In another t of my invention illustratedinFig.4Iempioyarotaryvalvellmounted in the head .of screw I5. This valve is provided at one endwithan operatingdiskorhead 32 andisheldinplscebyacollarmmmtedon itsotherendandengagingtherimsurfaceot. thehead portion ofscrew II. The electrodepassageway through screw Iimaybeopened orelosed byrotatingvalveli toits openorclosedposition ,l

sothatanelectrodemaybepositionedinthe nozzle with its end projecting through screw Il ormayhewhollycontainedwithinthennnlelo thatthepassagewaythrooghscrew'liwouidnot beclosediivalveil werenotmovedtoits closed position.

It is apparent that my inventionis not limited to the structure of the embodiments illustrated and described above since it may be applied to any electrode holding nomic for gas-arc torches where the electrode holding means is located in the tipportionof the nozzle and the length of the nozzle structure makes it desirable to clo the end oftheelectrode f--=1- ytherethroughwhich isremotetrolnthenouietipsothatahortlengn electrodesorstubendsoflongelectrodesmaybe fullyutilized within the capahlliti ofthe electrodeholdingmeansformingpartotthenonie structure.

whatlclaimasnewanddesiretosecureby Letters Patent of the United Btatesfls:

1. Gas-arc welding apparatus comprising a nozsie having therethrough an electrode passageway, one end of which is located in the tip portion of saidnnmle, electrodeholdingmeanstor an electrode in said eway of said nozzle at a point near said tip portion of said nonle, means for supplying gas through said nozzle and its said tip portion about the arcing terminal of an electrode in said electrode holding means, and valve means for opening and closing other end of said electrode paageway through said nozzle, saidvalvemeansinisopenposition forminga substantially gas-tight tit about an electrode extending through said electrode passageway in said nonleandinitsclosedpdtionclosingsaidpas;

ing jaws extending into.

one end of which is located in the tip portion of said nozzle, electrode holding means for engaging an electrode in said passageway of said nozzle at a f point near said tip 'portion of said nozzle, means for supplying gas through said nozzle and its said tip portion about the arcing terminal. of an electrode in said electrode holding means, means including a member mounted on and movable relatively to said nozzle for opening and closing the other end of said electrode passageway through said nozzle, said means forming a substantially gas-tight fit about an electrode extending therethrough, means for biasing said member to a position which closes said electrode passageway through said nozzle, and means for moving said member against the action-of said biasing means.

3. Gas-arc welding apparatus comprising` a nozzle having therethrough an electrode passageway, one end of which is located in thetip portion of said nozzle, an electrode centering and clamping sleevel located in said nozzle and having at one end a slotted portion forming jaws which are adjacent said tip portion of said nozzle, cooperating wedging surfaces on the interior of said nozzle near its said tip portion and on the exterior of said sleeve at`its said slotted end portion, means forming a. substantially gas-tight closure about an electrode extending beyond said nozzle through the other end of said electrode said laws of said sleeve, and means including a member mounted on said screw and movable relatively thereto for opening and closing a substantially gas-tight electrode passageway extending through said screw and aligned with the electrode passageways through said nozzle and said sleeve.

5. Gas-arc welding apparatus comprising a nozzle having therethrough an electrode passageway one end of which is located in the tip portion of said nozzle, an electrode centering and clamping sleeve located in said nozzle and having at one end a slotted portion forming jaws whichare adjacent said tip portion of said nozzle, cooperating wedging surfaces on the interior of said nozzle near its said tip portion and on the exteriorA of said sleeve at its said slotted end portion, a

- screw making a threaded engagement with said passageway therein, said means including a screw Y and a valve mounted on said screw and movable relatively thereto for. opening and closing an electrode passageway through said screw, and said screw making a threaded engagement with said nozzle and acting against the other end of said sleeve to force said wedging surfaces together and bring said jaws of said sleeve into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through said sleeve, and means for supplying gas through said nozzle and its said tip portion about .the arcing positioned in said tip portion by said jaws 'oi' said sleeve.

4. Gas-arc welding apparatus comprising a noz.. zle havingwtherethrough an electrode .passageway, a tip attached to said nozzle at its discharge end with which it forms a chamber having a'- discharge opening greater in size than-the electerminal oi' an -electrode,`

nozzle at the other end of said electrode passageway therethrough and acting against' the other end of said sleeve to forcersaid wedging surfaces together and bring said jaws of said sleeve into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through said sleeve, "means including a member' mounted on said screw and movable relatively thereto for opening and closing a substantially gas-tight electrode passageway extending through said screw and aligned with the electrode passageways through said nozzle and saidv sleeve, means for moving said member `to positions opening and closing said electrode passageway` through said screw, and 'means for supplying gas through said-nozzle and its said tip portion about the arcing terminal o! an electrode positioned in said tip portion by said jaws of said sleeve.

6. Gas-arc welding apparatus comprising a nozzle having therethrough an electrode passageway one end of which is located in the tip portion or said nozzle, an electrode centering and clamping sleeve located in said Inozzle and having at one end a slotted portion forming jaws which are adjacent said tip portion of said nozzle, cooperating wedging surfaces on the interior ot said nozzle near its said tip portion and on the exterior of said sleeve at itssaid slotted end portion, a screw making a threaded engagement with said nozzle at'the other end of said electrode passageway therethrough and-acting against the other end of said sleeve to force said wedging surfaces together and bring said jaws of said sleeve into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through' said sleeve, means including a member mounted on said screw'and movable rela'- trode supported in said nozzle, an electrode centering and clampingsleeve locatedin said nozzle and having at one end a'slotted portion forms'aid tip, coopera wedging, surfaces on the interior of said notglg near said tip and on the exterior of said sleeve at its said slotted end portion, a-screw making a threaded engagement with saidv nozzle atthe other end of said electrode passageway therethrough and acting against the other end of said sleeve to force said wedging' surfaces together and bring said .laws of said sleeve into clamping engagement with an electrode extending through said sleeve, means for 'supplying-sas through said vnozzle and said tip aboutthe arcing terminal vof an electrode positioned and held in said tip by I 'positioned in said tiptively thereto for opening and closing a substantially gas-tight electrode passageway extending Vthrough said screw and aligned withthe electrode passageways through said nozzle and said sleeve, means for biasing said member to a portion clcsing said electrode passageway through said screw, means for moving said member against the action oi' said biasing means to open said electrode pessageway' through said screw for the reception of an electrode of greater length than the electrode passageway in said nozzle, and means for supplying gas through said nozzle and its said tip portion about the arcing terminal oi an electrode portion by said Jaws of JOHN R. ymanoir.

said sleeve. 

